Kona artist to be featured on Japanese TV show

Penny Gupton is interviewed by a Japanese TV crew at her Kona home. (Photo courtesy of Penny Gupton)

Penny Gupton is interviewed by a Japanese TV crew at her Kona home. (Photo courtesy of Penny Gupton)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Kailua-Kona watercolor artist Penny Gupton will be featured in a Japanese television program, talking about her artwork and Hawaii’s famous sunsets.

Producer Noboru Kinoshita, of the Honolulu-based location and promotions company Luna Hawaii Hadowin Inc., spotted some of Gupton’s work in early March at Wishard Gallery in Queen’s Market Place.

He asked Gupton if she would share the stories behind some of her watercolor and oil paintings and the inspiration she draws from Hawaii’s scenery.

A film crew was shooting segments for a Japanese travel and culture TV program and already was on the Big Island, ready to begin interviews.

“They were only here for four days, so we had to move pretty quickly,” Gupton said. “They were interested in sunsets, so we set up a scenario where I would show some of my paintings to a potential customer and take her out to Anaehoomalu Bay to see the real thing.”

The crew also filmed at Gupton’s home studio to flesh out the portrayal of an award-winning Hawaii artist.

“They were delightful, so easy to work with. I felt like a famous rock star or something, with my own camera crew following me around,” Gupton said. “I’ve been interviewed before, but I’ve never worked in a foreign language. It was such fun.”

Gupton spent 8-10 hours spread over two days with the crew of four and was impressed by their expertise and professionalism.

“I even had to take down the wind chimes on my lanai because they were interfering with the sound recording,” she said. “We all ended up sitting on my living room floor, chatting. It was a little surreal as they were speaking in Japanese and I had to wait for the translator to ask me questions so I could join in. But it was great fun.”

Gupton said she is eager for Japanese TV viewers to get a glimpse of the Hawaii beauty she loves to paint.

“It’s a huge honor that they picked me. But I felt a little apprehensive when I thought about me representing the Big Island and our diverse and wonderful art community,” she said. “I hope they will be proud of how I represented us all.”

The travel and culture program, “Chikya Zetsukei Kikou,” typically airs Fridays on Tokyo Broadcasting System. The program featuring Gupton is scheduled to air in June.

— Find out more:
www.lunahawaii.com
www.pennygupton.com

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